Sri Lanka: President's brother escapes bomb blast unscathed

Colombo, 01 December, (Asiantribune.com) : The Director of the Colombo National Hospital confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapakse was not among the injured admitted to hospital, though it was rumored that the brother of Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka was injured in a bomb blast this morning at Piththala Junction at Dharmapala Mawatha in Kollupitiya, heart of the Colombo capital city of Sri Lanka.

Also, Media Centre for National Security, reveals, "Whilst the vehicle in which the Defence Secretary traveled is damaged Mr. Rajapaksa is reported to be un-hurt and safe."

Reports from the scene say that wreckages of two motorcycles and a three-wheeler are seen. Several other vehicles are also damaged due to the bomb blast.

According to the Media Centre for National Security, a suicide bomber in three-wheeler had triggered an explosion at Piththala Junction. located at Dharmapala Mawatha, in Kollupitiya around 10.39 am this morning.

The indented target of the suicide bomber was the vehicle convoy of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

According to reports reaching "Asian Tribune," four persons were killed in this explosion and fourteen others have been immediately admitted to the Colombo National hospital with injuries.

The body of the suspected suicide bomber is visible on a double cab vehicle in the vicinity of the incident, reports reveal.

A three wheeler has been completely damaged and it is suspected that the bomb had been brought in the three wheeler. A VIP vehicle, a BMW, is seen damaged and a body severed off its head is seen near the vehicle

Several vehicles have been damaged and a few of them are burning at the time this news item is posted.